Reserve Bank of India - All new ATMS from 1st July 2014 to be Talking ATM with Braille Keypad

Excel for Chartered Accountants

                                                                                        Way back in 2009, Reserve Bank of India had expressed concerned
                                                                                        and advised all Scheduled Commercial Banks to make Automated
                                                                                        Teller Machine (ATM) accessible to persons with disabilities. The
                                                                                        suggestions received by RBI included;

1. Providing ramps so that wheel chair users can access ATM,

2. Height of the ATM be made appropriate

3. Installing speaking software and key pads with letters in Braille for
persons with visual impairment.

To achieve these objectives, RBI had advised banks as under;

a. to take necessary steps to provide all existing ATMs / future ATMs with srampss o that wheel chair users / persons with disabilities can easily access them . Banks may also take appropriate steps including providing ramps at the entrance of the bank branches so that the persons with disabilities/ wheel chair users can enter the bank branches and conduct business without much difficulty.

b. make at least one third of new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and placethem strategically in consultation with other banks to ensure that at least one talking ATM with Braille keypad is generally available in each locality

c. bring the locations of such talking ATMs to the notice of their visually impaired customer s.

However RBI in its latest circular dated 21-05-2014 has stated that some of the banks have not made at least one third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.

RBI has now directed that all new ATMs installed from July 1,2014 should be talking ATMs with Braille keypads. Banks should lay down a roadmap for converting all existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and the same may be reviewed from time to time by the Customer Service Committee of the Board”

Apart from the above banks have been advised to provide magnifying glasses in all branches for the use of persons with low vision and the branches are required to display at a prominent place notice about the availability of magnifying glasses and other facilities available for persons with disabilities.

Downlaod RBI latest circular >>

See Video of India’s first Talking ATM for differently abled persons: